I need some info from the experts on the Model 38 production years. Anybody know when they started producing them and what the last years of production are for this specific model? Thank you!

S&W began model numbers in 1957. Model 38 discontinued January 1999.

Prior to 1957, the same model was called the Bodyguard Airweight, produced starting in 1955, the "Pre-Model 38."

I'm not an expert, but that's what it says in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson.

Oh thank you for the quick response! When you say that is was stopped being produced in Jan 1999 are you referring to one of the other bodyguard models?

Model 38 (blue/alloy) production ceased in 1999. At that time it was a -3, the last engineering change.

Production of the M638 (stainless/alloy) and the M438 (blue/black/alloy), in their various iterations, continue to the present time.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I have a 38-2 which shipped March 1996. It is in the CAL84XX serial number range

No, only to the "pre-38" and the Model 38. The Kernel covers the other and subsequent Bodyguard models nicely.

Just BTW, my personal MOdel 38 no dash with sn ACT11XX probably dates to 1983 and is nickel finish.

If there is, was, or ever will be a "new" Model 38 it would be a -4, because it would have to incorporate the Internal Lock System (ILS). AFAIK no such gun was ever made. But I could see it coming back, one day, as part of a Classic Series.

__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~